BiTHouse Organizes Three Days of Technology Programming for the Community During SXSW

SAN FRANCISCO - Feb. 21, 2014 - PRLog -- BiTHouse (a subsidiary of Strategic Diversity Group) is organizing three days of tech programming for the community in collaboration with the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center. BiTHouse’s Soul + Tech Connect “Inclusion Factors” Initiative “Bridges the Gap” between diversity, business and technology.  Workshops, business pitch competition and panel discussions take place Monday, March 3 through Wednesday, March 5, 2014 for youth and entrepreneurs during SXSWedu. “The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (ESB-MACC) is a tremendous resource for the community and by collaborating with BiTHouse, we are able to connect with those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend technology programs or visit our center,” states Tiffany Moreno, Culture & Arts Education Coordinator of the ESB-MACC.

Areas of focus for“ Inclusion Factors” include: health, sustainability, food, language, transportation, finance, music, entertainment and civic engagement. Youth will learn how to build websites “pitching” who they are and technology ideas they want to develop in the future. The two day workshop for youth is intended for those in grades 6-10. Those interested can sign up here. On Tuesday, March 4^th the 2^nd annual BiTHouse Pitch Competition will take place. Minority members of the local community and those planning to attend SXSW can participate in the BiTHouse Pitch event.  Those selected will present a 4 minute business pitch to business leaders, entrepreneurs, media professionals, VCs and angels on March 5, 2014 at 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM in Austin, TX at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center. Startup founders and community members interested in  pitching their technology ideas must apply online before March 1, 2014 by filling out the form located here:

Panel discussions are being held the afternoon of March 5, 2014.  Topics of discussion are: Society, Stereotypes, and Culture (lunch discussion), Technology and Education – How to Prepare for a Career in Technology? “A Day in the Life of,”“Your Voice Matters” How Social Media and Marketing Provokes Leadership Diversity, “Bridging the Gap” Food + Tech + Health, Education and Technology: Resources Utilized to Increase Minority Interest in STEM, Wearable Technologies: Aiding with Health Disparities and Disabilities.  If you are interested in participating on one of the panels, please send an email to panels@thebithouse.org.

BiTHouse’s “Inclusion Factors” initiative was created due to the growing trend of national conversations and initiatives focusing on diversity in technology. Research has shown that groups containing members of different genders, work backgrounds, life experience and ethnicities solve complex problems better and faster than do homogenous groups.  “BiTHouse tackles the topic of diversity in technology by taking things a step beyond just introducing youth, women and disadvantaged communities to technology or teaching youth how to code.  BiTHouse supports various organizations focused on increasing minority representation in technology, and helps diversify hackathons, pitch events, and conferences by forming various strategic partnerships and identifying minority professionals to participate in the selection, judging and mentoring processes.  BiTHouse is focused on helping organizations connect the dots by providing solutions for continued growth and development pre and post technology event execution,” states Jewell Sparks, Founder of BiTHouse. Those interested in partnering with BiTHouse for the SXSW “Inclusion Factors” initiative, send an email to: jewell@thebithouse.org.

About the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center

The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center is dedicated to the preservation, creation, presentation, and promotion of Mexican American cultural arts and heritage. The Center is a resource for the community and visitors to learn and participate in classes and programs that will foster a meaningful understand and appreciation of not only Mexican American, but also Native American, Chicano, and other Latino cultures. The programs and educational curriculum include areas of visual art, theatre, dance, literature, music, language arts, and multi-media.

About BiTHouse

BiTHouse is a business development cultivator “Minimizing Barriers to Entry” for communities, women, minority entrepreneurs and technology professionals to learn, connect, align, innovate, fund, launch, and promote their expertise and disruptive technology solutions. The goal is to convert great ideas into scalable and sustainable technology platforms by enhancing the voice and visibility of diverse individuals who spark concepts resulting in innovative technology solution. BiTHouse cultivates "Change Agents" by inspiring people of color to explore careers in technology and provides a platform to share diverse experiences of leaders from the business, technology and education sectors by organizing workshops, panels and events.  BiTHouse events are strategically aligned with organizations and brands focused on addressing the needs of rapidly changing consumer markets. For more information visit: www.thebithouse.org.